Did you know you can download this episode directly to your mobile device for listening on the go? On the player above, click on the download icon. Great times to listen include when walking/running/exercising or when driving to work or doing errands. Enjoy!

This is the first podcast episode I have ever recorded and considered not publishing.

Why?

Because although the premise of this episode is simple…

To practice putting myself “out there” with my message of walking for wellness, by being a guest on other podcasts.

The thought of live interviews terrifies me.

My inner voice keeps asking, “What if you don’t know the answer?”

“What if your mind goes blank and you can’t think of an answer?”

“What if you sound like an idiot?”

“What if…”

“What if…”

Here’s the sad truth…

“What ifs” can be the killer of dreams!

So…

This week I took a big scary leap and decided to play with the role of interviewee.

I created my own interview questions and shared my answers in this week’s episode.

To be honest, I was not impressed with the result.

In too many places it sounds like I am talking AT you, and not TO you.

The segues between questions were awkward without the natural banter/transition that typically would occur between interviewer and interviewee.

I totally blanked in a couple of places. 🙁

I forgot to say anything about this podcast. 🙁

So, I seriously considered tucking this audio recording into a file folder buried so deeply on my hard drive that no one would ever find it.

And then it dawned on me…

These feelings of uncertainty… These doubts about my ability… The worry that you’d think less of me…

Ahhh… sounds like a fixed mindset!

A fixed mindset means seeing limits where they don’t exist; thinking that what I was currently able to do was the MOST that I would be able to do; and thinking that my identity was fixed to my current talents and skills.

So I switched mental gears.

The content of this week’s episode has not changed.

But my thoughts about it have.

Now I can see it as a benchmark for my future development.

Now I can see that it was a great practice run for what to do or not do.

I’m still uncomfortable sharing this. It’s both raw and scripted in nature. It’s an awkward episode.

But…

In order to honor and be an example of a growth mindset, I must take a stand against my feelings of discomfort and doubt.

The only way for me to gain experience, is to practice.

So I will not let this practice episode hold me back. I will learn from it and move forward.

And I hope that my courage and this week’s message, inspire you to start getting your own message out into the world. Share your dream and your scary “what ifs” in the comments.

Show Notes:

Here is a timeline of the questions I asked myself:

9:43 – Q. Independent Podcast producer and habit strategist. They seem like two totally different things. How do they fit together?

11:42 – Q. So what exactly are you trying to achieve?

14:24 – Q. And how are you doing that?

19:04 – Q. You’ve said that most people are going about these types of lifestyle changes the wrong way. Can you tell me more about that?

23:07 – Q. So tell us about the programs you offer:

26:08 – Q. And how can people connect with you:

26:42 – Q. Thank you so much for spending time with me today. Is there anything else you’d like to share with the audience?

Did you know you can download this episode directly to your mobile device for listening on the go? Great times to listen include when walking/running/exercising or when driving to work or doing errands. Enjoy!

This podcast’s transition continues as I consider the people I most like to talk with. Hint: It’s people at the beginning stage of something. It might be a fitness program, a life change, a creative endeavor or business.

Today I share 5 reasons why I think they are the coolest people in the world.

Show Notes:

Here are some things I talked about in today’s show:

Ep101: Transitions and Transformations – As I approached the 100th episode of Reflections of a Recovering Ugly Duckling, I started feeling like it was time to make some changes. I decided it was time to leave the past behind me and step into a brighter, bolder future.

Why You Aren’t Taking Action – Amy Porterfield, an online marketing expert, interviewed Brooke Castillo on her podcast about three things that keep us from taking action. This was brilliant!

Ep100: Secrets to Living Happily Ever After – I shared how after writing 90+ Once upon a time & she lived happily ever after stories, I realized that most of the secrets fell into one of five categories. Learn what those categories are and let me know if you agree or disagree OR which secrets I overlooked.